Application of Biophysical Properties of Meridians in the Visualization of Pericardium Meridian

Xiong Feng,Xu Ruimin,Li Tongju,Wang Jinyu,Hu Qingchuan,Song Xiaojing,Wang Guangjun,Su Huanhuan,Jia Shuyong,Wang Shuyou,Zhu Zongxiang,Zhang Weibo 사단법인약침학회 2023 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.16 No.3

Background: The biophysical properties of the meridian system, an important concept of traditional Chinese medicine, include low impedance, resounding voice, and high acoustic conductance, all of which are helpful for elucidating the essence of meridians. Objectives: To visualize the human pericardium meridian (PC) based on the resounding voice property of meridians. Methods: Visualization of the PC was performed by injection of fluorescein sodium at the PC6 acupoint (Neiguan) on the PC. Before injection, percussion active points (PAPs) were identified by the virtue of their resounding voice properties. After injection, the trajectories of fluorescein migration throughout the body surface were recorded and analyzed. The distribution of fluorescein in the tissue was further studied using cross-sections of hind limbs of mini-pigs, in which fluorescein was injected into low impedance points. Results: The identified PAP lines were colocalized with PC. Following intradermal fluorescein injection, 1-3 fluorescent lines, which were unrelated to the arm veins, were observed in 7 of 10 participants; 85.4% of fluorescent signals were coincident with PAPs and their intensity had a negative correlation with the body mass index (r = –0.56, p = 0.045). Cross-sections showed a Y-shaped fluorescence pattern where the two migration lines on the surface were the two vertices of the “Y.” Conclusion: The trajectories of fluorescein in the body are suggestive of the anatomical structure of meridians. The PC is related to the deep horizontal interstitial channels that connect to the body surface through vertical interstitial spaces. These biophysical properties and techniques for meridian visualization are valuable for revealing the anatomical structure of meridians.

Self-Aligned Nanotube–Nanowire Phase Change Memory

Xiong, Feng,Bae, Myung-Ho,Dai, Yuan,Liao, Albert D.,Behnam, Ashkan,Carrion, Enrique A.,Hong, Sungduk,Ielmini, Daniele,Pop, Eric American Chemical Society 2013 Nano letters Vol.13 No.2

<P>A central issue of nanoelectronics concerns their fundamental scaling limits, that is, the smallest and most energy-efficient devices that can function reliably. Unlike charge-based electronics that are prone to leakage at nanoscale dimensions, memory devices based on phase change materials (PCMs) are more scalable, storing digital information as the crystalline or amorphous state of a material. Here, we describe a novel approach to self-align PCM nanowires with individual carbon nanotube (CNT) electrodes for the first time. The highly scaled and spatially confined memory devices approach the ultimate scaling limits of PCM technology, achieving ultralow programming currents (∼0.1 μA set, ∼1.6 μA reset), outstanding on/off ratios (∼10<SUP>3</SUP>), and improved endurance and stability at few-nanometer bit dimensions. In addition, the powerful yet simple nanofabrication approach described here can enable confining and probing many other nanoscale and molecular devices self-aligned with CNT electrodes.</P><P><B>Graphic Abstract</B> <IMG SRC='http://pubs.acs.org/appl/literatum/publisher/achs/journals/content/nalefd/2013/nalefd.2013.13.issue-2/nl3038097/production/images/medium/nl-2012-038097_0005.gif'></P><P><A href='http://pubs.acs.org/doi/suppl/10.1021/nl3038097'>ACS Electronic Supporting Info</A></P>

IL-33 promotes IL-10 production in macrophages: a role for IL-33 in macrophage foam cell formation

Hai-Feng Zhang,Mao-Xiong Wu,Yong-Qing Lin,Shuang-Lun Xie,Tu-Cheng Huang,Pin-Ming Liu,Ru-Qiong Nie,Qin-Qi Meng,Nian-Sang Luo,Yang-Xin Chen,Jing-Feng Wang 생화학분자생물학회 2017 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.49 No.-

We evaluated the role of IL-10- in IL-33-mediated cholesterol reduction in macrophage-derived foam cells (MFCs) and the mechanism by which IL-33 upregulates IL-10. Serum IL-33 and IL-10 levels in coronary artery disease patients were measured. The effects of IL-33 on intra-MFC cholesterol level, IL-10, ABCA1 and CD36 expression, ERK 1/2, Sp1, STAT3 and STAT4 activation, and IL-10 promoter activity were determined. Core sequences were identified using bioinformatic analysis and sitespecific mutagenesis. The serum IL-33 levels positively correlated with those of IL-10. IL-33 decreased cellular cholesterol level and upregulated IL-10 and ABCA1 but had no effect on CD36 expression. siRNA-IL-10 partially abolished cellular cholesterol reduction and ABCA1 elevation by IL-33 but did not reverse the decreased CD36 levels. IL-33 increased IL-10 mRNA production but had little effect on its stability. IL-33 induced ERK 1/2 phosphorylation and increased the luciferase expression driven by the IL-10 promoter, with the highest extent within the − 2000 to − 1752 bp segment of the 5′-flank of the transcription start site; these effects were counteracted by U0126. IL-33 activated Sp1, STAT3 and STAT4, but only the STAT3 binding site was predicted in the above segment. Site-directed mutagenesis of the predicted STAT3-binding sites (CTGCTTCCTGGCAGCAGAA→CTGCCTGGCAGCAGAA) reduced luciferase activity, and a STAT3 inhibitor blocked the regulatory effects of IL-33 on IL-10 expression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (CHIP) confirmed the STAT3-binding sequences within the − 1997 to − 1700 and − 1091 to − 811 bp locus regions. IL-33 increased IL-10 expression in MFCs via activating ERK 1/2 and STAT3, which subsequently promoted IL-10 transcription and thus contributed to the beneficial effects of IL-33 on MFCs.

Knockdown of endogenous SKIP gene enhance insulin-induced glycogen synthesis signaling differentiating C2C12 myoblasts

( Qi Xiong ),( Chang Yan Deng ),( Jin Chai ),( Si Wen Jiang ),( Yuan Zhu Xiong ),( Feng E Li ),( Rong Zheng ) 생화학분자생물학회 2009 BMB Reports Vol.42 No.2

Intersubband Transitions in Nonpolar GaN-based Resonant Phonon Depopulation Multiple-Quantum Wells for Terahertz Emissions

Ya-Feng Song,Xiong-Xiong Kong,Wei-Bin Tang,Zhong-Qiang Suo,Huan Zhang,Chen-Yang Li,Qian Jia,Cai-Xia Xue,Yan-Wu Lu,Chao-Pu Yang 한국물리학회 2019 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.74 No.11

We investigate the polarization effect in intersubband transitions in polar and nonpolar GaN-based multiple-quantum well (MQW) structures for terahertz (THz) emissions by using systematic comparisons and design a nonpolar GaN/Al$_{0.2}$Ga$_{0.8}$N two-well-based MQW structure with an emitting photon of 7.27 THz (30.07 meV). Its lower energy separation (92.7 meV) matches the resonant phonon depopulation condition for better population inversion. It shows a lower threshold current density $J\rm_{th}$ at all temperatures (1.548 kA/cm$^2$ at 90 K) and a higher output power of up to 86.1 mW at 5.8 K and 33.6 mW at 100 K. Our results for the polar GaN MQW are very close to the experimental data in the literature. We find that the $J\rm_{th}$ of the nonpolar GaN MQW increases more slowly than that of the polar GaN MQW as temperature increases, indicating the nonpolar GaN MQW may be a worth-trying direction for improving the operation temperature. These results can provide meaningful references for the design and fabrication of nonpolar GaN-based THz MQW or quantum cascade structures.

A Quantitative Evaluation and Comparison of Harmonic Elimination Algorithms Based on Moving Average Filter and Delayed Signal Cancellation in Phase Synchronization Applications

Xiong, Liansong,Zhuo, Fang,Wang, Feng,Liu, Xiaokang,Zhu, Minghua,Yi, Hao The Korean Institute of Power Electronics 2016 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.16 No.2

The harmonic components of grid voltage result in oscillations of the calculated phase obtained via phase synchronization. This affects the security and stability of grid-connected converters. Moving average filter, delayed signal cancellation and their related harmonic elimination algorithms are major methods for such issues. However, all of the existing methods have their limitations in dealing with multiple harmonics issues. Furthermore, few studies have focused on a comparison and evaluation of these algorithms to achieve optimal algorithm selections in specific applications. In this paper, these algorithms are quantitatively analyzed based on the derived mathematical models. Moreover, an enhanced moving average filter and enhanced delayed signal cancellation algorithms, which are applicable for eliminating a group of selective harmonics with only one calculation block, are proposed. On this basis, both a comprehensive comparison and a quantitative evaluation of all of the aforementioned algorithms are made from several aspects, including response speed, required data storage size, sensitivity to sampling frequency, and elimination of random noise and harmonics. With the conclusions derived in this paper, better overall performance in terms of harmonic elimination can be achieved. In addition, experimental results under different conditions demonstrate the validity of this study.

Adaptive Dual Closed Loop Speed Control with Throttle Valve Dynamics for Natural Gas Engine in Range-Extended Electric Vehicles

Xiong Wenyu,Ye Jie,Gong Qichangyi,Feng Han,Shen Anwen,Xu Jinbang 한국자동차공학회 2020 International journal of automotive technology Vol.21 No.6

This study presents an adaptive dual closed-loop speed control strategy for the natural gas engine used in a range extender to improve the robustness against parameter uncertainties, unmodeled dynamics and unknown disturbance. Compared to existing methods, this strategy takes into account the influence of the throttle valve dynamics on the intake airflow in the design of the inner-loop intake pressure controller, which is strongly nonlinear, and considers the inaccuracy of the output torque as well as unknown disturbance in the outer-loop speed controller design, which is more practical. Furthermore, the controller is incorporated with an adaptive strategy to overcome the uncertainty of parameters using the information of the engine speed and the intake pressure. Theoretical analysis indicates that this strategy can meet the demands of the wide range speed regulation of the range extender engine without knowing the specific values of the engine parameters. Moreover, the capability of the proposed controller to preserve the performance in the presence of disturbance in various working conditions is evaluated by co-simulation on the platform of Matlab/Simulink with GTpower and experiments on a range extender.

Iterative Identification Algorithms for Input Nonlinear Output Error Autoregressive Systems

Feng Ding,Junxia Ma,Weili Xiong 제어·로봇·시스템학회 2016 International Journal of Control, Automation, and Vol.14 No.1

This paper focuses on the parameter estimation problems of input nonlinear output error autoregressivesystems. Based on the key variables separation technique and the auxiliary model identification idea, the output ofthe system is expressed as a linear combination of all the system parameters, the unknown inner variables in theinformation vector are replaced with the outputs of the auxiliary model and a gradient based and a least squaresbased iterative identification algorithms are derived. Simulation example is provided to illustrate the effectivenessof the proposed algorithms.

Optimization of an indirect regeneration system for common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Xiong Luxi,Liu Chang,Liu Dajun,Yan Zhishan,Yang Xiaoxu,Feng Guojun 한국식물생명공학회 2023 Plant biotechnology reports Vol.17 No.6

The main problems associated with growing common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) callus are low proliferation and differentiation, and high browning. In this study, common bean callus induced by cotyledon nodes was used as explant material to investigate the effects of different exogenous substances on callus regeneration, as well as the correlation between callus browning and the changes in superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) enzyme activities during callus culture. Adding AgNO3, CoCl2, Putrescine (Put), and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) to the callus growth medium at appropriate concentrations could significantly improve callus proliferation and differentiation efficiency, while also reducing the degree of browning, compared to controls. Callus explants were cultured in callus proliferation and differentiation medium (CPADM) containing 5 mg·L−1 AgNO3, 15 mg·L−1 Put, 5 mg·L−1 CoCl2, or 0.02 mM ACC, with optimal callus growth at these dosages. After treatment with the four exogenous substances, callus browning was inversely correlated with SOD activity but positively correlated with POD and PPO activities. The maximum rooting frequency of shoots was observed when rooting media was treated with 1 mg·L−1 Indole butyric acid (IBA) or 0.1 mg·L−1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). The average number of primary roots, root length, and root fresh weight were higher after these treatments. The indirect regeneration issue was largely resolved for common bean by the callus culture technique applied in this study, which provides a framework for genetic modification, germplasm preservation, and bean application.

A Novel Fast Open-loop Phase Locking Scheme Based on Synchronous Reference Frame for Three-phase Non-ideal Power Grids

Xiong, Liansong,Zhuo, Fang,Wang, Feng,Liu, Xiaokang,Zhu, Minghua,Yi, Hao The Korean Institute of Power Electronics 2016 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.16 No.4

Rapid and accurate phase synchronization is critical for the reliable control of grid-tied inverters. However, the commonly used software phase-locked loop methods do not always satisfy the need for high-speed and accurate phase synchronization under severe grid imbalance conditions. To address this problem, this study develops a novel open-loop phase locking scheme based on a synchronous reference frame. The proposed scheme is characterized by remarkable response speed, high accuracy, and easy implementation. It comprises three functional cascaded blocks: fast orthogonal signal generation block, fast fundamental-frequency positive sequence component construction block, and fast phase calculation block. The developed virtual orthogonal signal generation method in the first block, which is characterized by noise immunity and high accuracy, can effectively avoid approximation errors and noise amplification in a wide range of sampling frequencies. In the second block, which is the foundation for achieving fast phase synchronization within 3 ms, the fundamental-frequency positive sequence components of unsymmetrical grid voltages can be achieved with the developed orthogonal signal construction strategy and the symmetrical component method. The real-time grid phase can be consequently obtained in the third block, which is free from self-tuning closed-loop control and thus improves the dynamic performance of the proposed scheme. The proposed scheme is adaptive to severe unsymmetrical grid voltages with sudden changes in magnitude, phase, and/or frequency. Moreover, this scheme is able to eliminate phase errors induced by harmonics and random noise. The validity and utility of the proposed scheme are verified by the experimental results.